Inflatable dental impression tray and mixing tip

ABSTRACT

An inflatable dental tray for creating a dental impression. The tray is inflated for retention of an impression material which solidifies after a dental structure has been impressed therein. The inflatable tray can be configured for various inflation methods and in various shapes to form full or partial impressions. In one aspect of the invention the tray is inflated with impression material that flows from apertures forming a buildup. Various additional inventive aspects include an exterior filled inflated tray, along with tubes which provide for proper mixing of impression material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/596,296 filed on Jun. 16, 2000.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention pertains generally to dental impression trays andmore particularly to an inflatable dental impression tray and tips foruse in mixing multi-part impression material.

[0006] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0007] Numerous dental procedures require that accurate castings be madeof dental surfaces, gums in the case of maxillary casts, or upon apatient presenting an edentulous situation. Traditional dental castingsare made by applying one or more layers of liquid dental impressionmaterial to a retention shell called a tray. The liquid dentalimpression material is highly viscous and quick setting and typicallyapplied as a gel or a mousse. The impression material generally isformed from two constituent components that react when mixed tofacilitate quick setting. A dental impression tray loaded with theimpression material is inserted in a patients mouth whereupon the mouthof the patient is closed upon the tray thereby holding it in thatposition until the impression material has sufficiently solidified, atwhich time the tray and dental impression are removed. Once removed fromthe patient's mouth, the tray with the solidified material contains animpression of the dental surfaces.

[0008] Impression trays in current use are variously fabricated withtypical trays being a molded synthetic plastic or resin; while metaltrays are now largely an anachronism. These impression trays aretypified as large “U-shaped” devices for taking a full arch impressionwhich spans the entire dental area of the upper or lower jaw, or partialarch trays which are used for taking impressions over a smaller dentalareas, such as a quadrant which spans either a left or right half of afull arch (LR, LL, UR, UL). In either case, these shell form traysgenerally contain some form of inner and outer rigid or semi-rigidsidewall between which the impression material is retained. The traysgenerally are constructed of sufficient size so that the positioning ofthe sidewalls accommodates a variety of bite pattern shapes. Due largelyto this one size fits all approach, the trays typically require a largeamount of impression material for proper loading. The impressionmaterial may be made from various materials, such as alginate,polyvinylsiloxanne, polyester, wax, silicon, or a rubber compound andthese materials exhibit varying levels of viscosity.

[0009] Alternatively, a few tray manufacturers have provided anatomicalsets of reusable bite trays having a variety of wall heights andspacing, so that a smaller tray may be chosen whose sidewall positionsmore accurately reflect the size, shape, and bite pattern of thepatient. Yet, in either case, the sidewalls which retain the impressionmaterial within the tray can interfere with tissue/bony interfaces, oranomalies, which prevent proper insertion as they often do not properlymatch the shape of the patients mouth. Current dental techniques anddevices uniformly teach the use of these shell-like trays into which atwo-part impression material is applied before making the dentalimpression. Various dual-chamber syringes and tubes are used for thedispensing and mixing of the two parts of the impression material. Inaddition cybernetic mixing units such as Penta™ by ESPE Mix and Mixstar™by DMG. The dental practitioner is required to rapidly load the areawithin the tray with unsolidified impression material, filling itbetween the inner and outer impression material retention sidewalls,before the impression material begins to solidify. The tray containingthe impression material is inserted into the patients mouth, adjustedinto position, and the patient is directed to bite down and hold theirposition, so as to get a good impression. Alternatively the operator mayhold the tray in place which contains the solidifying impressionmaterial. Due to their size and construction, dental impression traysare expensive; therefore many impression trays are made to be reused.Unfortunately, the process of recycling a dental tray requires removalof all hardened impression material followed by sterilization, which istypically performed within an autoclave. The sterilized tray should thenbe protected from contamination until reuse. Disposable clam-shell trayshave also been manufactured, however, their high unit cost hastraditionally been a detractor. Furthermore, in utilizing eitherdisposable or reusable trays, the dental practitioner is required tostore an assortment of these trays under antiseptic conditions.

[0010] The drawbacks inherent in current tray designs have caused manyin the industry to experiment with variations of these standard dentalimpression trays. Recently, trays have been introduced which include aninjection nozzle so that an otherwise typical shell type impression traycan be filled more easily with impression material. The impressionmaterial is still retained as in a typical shell arrangement with rigidsidewalls utilized for retention of the impression material. Other trayvarieties have been introduced including trays which contain a plasticor metal perimeter upon which a fabric material is suspended so that alayer of impression material may be built-up on the fabric. However, theprinciple drawbacks in the use of these practitioner-filled dentalimpression trays, with their rigid material retention sidewalls, stillremains, and the practitioner is left with the choice of using expensivedisposable trays, or spending a great deal of time to clean up andrecycle used trays.

[0011] The task of finding a properly fitting tray with sidewallscompatible with the oral contours of the patient can be inconvenient forthe dental practitioner and uncomfortable for the patient. While inaddition, the large size of these generic trays requires the use of asubstantial quantity of impression material. Furthermore, thepractitioner must work quickly to fill all of the tray and to fit thetray properly within the patients mouth before the impression materialbegins to set. The impression material is formulated to generallyprovide enough working time to allow this process to be completed,however if filling is accomplished very quickly the patient is leftgagging on a mouthful of overflowing aqueous impression material as theywait for the material to harden.

[0012] As can be seen, therefore, the development of a dental impressiontray which is inexpensive, space efficient, and does not require rigidsidewalls to retain the impression material would overcome numerousdrawbacks with impression trays currently in use. The inflatableimpression tray in accordance with the present invention satisfies thatneed, as well as others, and overcomes deficiencies in previously knowntechniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is a dental impression tray which isinflated to achieve a desired level of rigidity and loaded with anunsolidified impression material into which dental structures aretemporarily interposed during solidification. In one aspect of theinvention, an inflatable impression tray containing flow apertures isfilled with impression material which inflates the tray and flows out tobuild up on the surface into which dental surfaces may be interposed.Additional aspects provide for inflatable impression trays to whichimpression material is topically applied, self-inflating impressiontrays containing chemical reactants, and an impression material mixingtip for inflatable dental impression trays. Furthermore, in comparisonwith previous trays, the inflatable tray is substantially non-rigiduntil inflated with the impression material and does not contain thefree-standing sidewalls of conventional shell-type trays.

[0014] An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive method ofmaking dental impressions.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a disposableimpression tray.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a dental traycapable of being fit to a wide range of patients without sidewallinteraction between the tray and the mouth of the patient.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a system of makingdental impressions that requires less impression material to be used perdental impression.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a system of makingdental impressions that eliminates the manual loading of the impressiontray with impression material.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide a system of makingdental impressions wherein the impression material is mixed as it entersthe tray.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide a dental impressionsystem in which the trays take up less space while being stored.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide an inflatabledental impression tray that is capable of being inflated with a liquid,or a gas, such as: impression material, air, water, or gas from achemical reaction.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to provide a printable dentaltray to facilitate identification and private labeling.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to provide a pleasant tastingand/or smelling dental tray for the recipient patient.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide impression trays inclear or colors to improve arch or quadrant identification, whilepreferable providing a location and mechanism by which the patients namemay be adhered to the tray.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to provide a dental impressiontray which is bondable by either mechanical or chemical adhesion to alldental impression materials.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a tray capable ofproviding 3 to 50 microns of accuracy.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a system of makingdental impressions wherein due to the increased speed of materialapplication, a quicker setting material formulation may be utilized toincrease patient comfort and decrease the overall time required for thedental procedure.

[0028] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be broughtout in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detaileddescription is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodimentsof the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable dental trayaccording to the present invention which has flow apertures for theimpression material and a fill tube.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable dental tray of FIG.1, shown being filled with impression material from a dual-pistonsyringe assembly.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of an inflatable dental tray ofFIG. 2, having vertical flow-apertures shown becoming fully inflated.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the inflatable dental tray ofFIG. 3, shown with the impression material beginning to flow from theapertures.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of an inflatable dental tray ofFIG. 1, having vertical and angled flow-apertures shown becoming fullyinflated.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the inflatable dental tray ofFIG. 5, shown with the impression material flowing from the apertures.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of an inflatable dental tray havingboth upward and downward flow-apertures shown becoming fully inflated.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the inflatable dental tray ofFIG. 7, shown with the impression material beginning to flow upward anddownward from apertures to form built-up impression areas.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inflatable dental trayaccording to the present invention shown configured for taking animpression of a patients lower teeth.

[0039]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inflatable dental trayquadrant according to the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inflatable dental trayaccording to the present invention which is configured without theattached fill tube of FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mixing tip according to thepresent invention that provides mixing of impression material forfilling the inflatable dental tray of FIG. 11.

[0042]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mixing tip of FIG. 12connected to a squeeze-handle dispenser for the impression material.

[0043]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray having an inflatable fill tube with cross-wise channeling toimprove mixing.

[0044]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray having an inflatable fill tube with lengthwise channeling.

[0045]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a single-railinflatable upper dental tray wherein the unsolidified impressionmaterial is topically applied.

[0046]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an dual-railinflatable lower dental tray wherein the unsolidified impressionmaterial is topically applied.

[0047]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray quadrant having a hook-shaped inflating tube wherein theunsolidified impression material is topically applied to a retainedmembrane.

[0048]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray quadrant having an inflating tube which circumscribes a loopwherein the unsolidified impression material is topically applied to aretained membrane.

[0049]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray quadrant having an inflating tube which circumscribes a loopwherein the unsolidified impression material is topically applied to aretained membrane containing apertures.

[0050]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatabledental tray quadrant having an inflating tube which circumscribes a loopand contains impression material flow apertures for directing materialover the retained membrane.

[0051]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a self-fillinginflatable dental tray having an inflating tube which circumscribes aninner and out perimeter wherein the unsolidified impression material istopically applied to a retained membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrativepurposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus generallyshown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 22. It will be appreciated that theapparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts,and that the method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence,without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein.

[0053]FIG. 1 an embodiment of an inflatable dental tray 10 is shownhaving a rigid fill tube 12, also referred to as a mixing tip, attachedto a U-shaped impression area 14 which is spanned by a membrane 16. Theinflatable tray is shown configured for taking a full arch impression,preferably an upper. It will be appreciated that inflatable traysaccording to the invention may be manufactured in various shapes andsizes for taking impressions of selected dental regions. Circularapertures 18 are shown distributed on the top of the impression area 14.These apertures allow impression material to exude from the tray as itfills so that a material build-up region can be formed above the surfaceof the tray for making deep impressions. Impression material enteringthe inflatable impression area 14 passes through fill tube 12, or mixingtip, containing mixing baffles 20, 22, that thoroughly mix the twocomponents of the impression material before it enters the U-shapedimpression area 14 of the tray. The baffles may be oriented at opposingangles as are 20, 22 so that efficient mixing takes place. Theconstituent components of the impression material may enter the filltube as separate joined streams, or lamina, of moving material whichneed to be properly mixed so that the proper reaction and subsequentsolidification of the material will occur. The baffles operate todisrupt laminar flow through the baffles such that the lamina are foldedand mixed with one another into a homogeneous stream of mixed material.The fill tube 12 receives the impression material through an injectionopening 24 within which a check valve 26 is preferably located toprevent the impression material from leaking out of the fill tube oncethe fill source has been disconnected. A plurality of optional apertures28 are located toward the inner portion of the impression tray andangled such that impression material can be directed over the membrane16. It should be recognized that the inflatable tray of the invention issubstantially non-rigid, or flaccid, prior to being inflated withimpression material, more specifically, it does not require the innerand outer sidewalls for retaining a pool of impression material.

[0054]FIG. 2 shows the inflatable tray 10 of FIG. 1 being filled by adual-piston syringe 30 containing a two-part impression material throughan injection opening 24 of the feed tube 12 containing baffles 20, 22toward the flow apertures 18 within the impression area 14. The trayshown is a slight variant of that shown in FIG. 1, in that theimpression tray does not contain the optional apertures 28 of FIG. 1encircling the membrane 16. Referring to FIG. 2, the twin-tube syringeis shown by way of example, and it should be appreciated that numerousimpression material sources are available, such as pistol-grip syringes.Each syringe barrel 32 a, 32 b contains a constituent component of theimpression material, that when mixed quickly solidifies. Upon theapplication of pressure, the dual-plunger head 34 moves the pistons 36a, 36 b to displace the two materials 38 a, 38 b through the necked downportions of the syringe 40 a, 40 b and the connector 42 which isattached to the injection opening 24 in the feed tube 12. Preferably thecomponents of the impression material are not allowed to mix whilewithin the body of the syringe and furthermore are prevented from mixingimmediately upon entering the fill tube 12, so as to reduce cloggingproblems that can occur when mixed material remains within the tip ofthe syringe and hardens.

[0055]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the impression area 14 of a traythat has been inflated. The membrane 16 is shown attached between theinflated sides of the U-shaped impression area 14 which is configuredwith apertures 18. The membrane 16 preferably comprises material of theinflatable tray, and provides limited positional support to theperimeter of the inflatable tray, while it allows material to be builtup for taking an impression which includes the roof of the patientsmouth. The membrane 16 can be provided in various sizes, shapes, andmaterials. In FIG. 3, the inflatable tray of FIG. 2 is shown during theinflation process prior to the exuding of impression material from theapertures 18. FIG. 4 depicts the inflatable tray of FIG. 2 that has beeninflated and further filled so as to create a build-up 44 on the portionof the inflatable tray configured with the flow apertures 18. In FIG. 5,the inflatable tray of FIG. 1, having the additional inward facingapertures 28, is shown during the inflation process prior to the exudingof impression material from the apertures 18, 28. FIG. 6 depicts theinflatable tray of FIG. 5 that has been inflated and further filled soas to create a build-up 44 on the portion of the impression area 14 ofthe inflatable tray configured with the flow apertures 18, 28 andextending over a portion of the membrane 16. In FIG. 7, an inflatabletray similar to FIG. 2 is shown which has apertures 18 located on boththe upper and lower surfaces of the impression area 14 separated bymembrane 16. The tray is shown during the inflation process prior to theexuding of impression material from the apertures 18. FIG. 8 depicts theinflatable tray having been inflated and further filled so as to createa build-up 44 both above and below a portion of the inflatable traywhich is configured with the flow apertures 18. It will be appreciatedthat the above descriptions of flow aperture use is provided by way ofexample, and that a wide latitude of aperture positioning, sizing, andorientation is anticipated so as to satisfy a variety of impressionrequirements.

[0056]FIG. 9 depicts an impression tray 50 similar to that of FIG. 1,which is preferably utilized for taking lower full arch impressions ofthe lower dental surfaces of a patient as it is adapted to provideadditional space for the tongue of the patient. The tray comprises afill-tube 52 leading to an impression area 54 with small interior seams56. Apertures 58 receive impression material by way of the mixingbaffles 60, 62 from the injection opening 64 within which a check valve66 is located. Use of the inflatable dental tray 50 according to theaforesaid embodiment of the present invention involves filling the traythrough the fill tube until the desired amount of impression material isbuilt up above the flow apertures, placing the tray within the mouth ofa patient, and having the patient apply biting pressure until the dentalsurfaces are properly embedded within the impression material. After afew minutes have elapsed, the impression material solidifies and theinflatable tray with the dental impressions may be removed from themouth of the patient. An inflatable tray according to the invention mayalso be filled in-situ, (while in the patients mouth) however, this maybe a less preferred use as the pattern of teeth bearing down over thetray and the flow apertures could disrupt the even flow of theimpression material and the formation of a correct impression.Additionally, it can be more difficult to determine how much impressionmaterial to dispense into the inflatable tray when the tray is alreadywithin the patient's mouth.

[0057]FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a quadrant impression tray 70which provides for taking an impression on a quarter of the dentalsurfaces at one time (LR, LL, UR, UL). It will be appreciated that thequadrant sized impression tray may be further reduced in size to allowthe taking of an impression over smaller portions of a dental surface.The tray 70 comprises a fill-tube 72 leading to a curved impression area74 shown here with a small interior seam 76. Apertures 78 receiveimpression material by way of the mixing baffles 80, 82 from theinjection opening 84 within which a check valve 86 is located. It willbe appreciated that the impression tray may be formed without exposedseams, such as seam 76, which is being illustrated to clarify a simplemethod of construction.

[0058]FIG. 11 illustrates an impression tray 90 that does not have afill tube containing mixing baffles and, therefore, must be filled withfully-mixed impression material. The tray comprises a fill-connection 92leading to a U-shaped impression area 94 spanned by a membrane 96. Flowapertures 98, 100 provide for distribution of impression material bothabove the impression area 94 and over the membrane 96 which containsimpression retention apertures 102. The fill-connection 92 is shownhaving a fill opening 104 with a check valve 106. It will be appreciatedthat a variety of designs exist for constructing anti-backflow valveswhereas the check valve 106 is shown by way of example. FIG. 12 is amixing tip 110 which mixes impression material while it is conveyed froma source to an impression tray. The mixing tip 110 has an outer housing112 in which internal baffles 114, 116, provide for the mixing of theimpression material as it traverses the length of the mixing tip 110toward a nozzle 118 which is configured for coupling with the fillopening of an inflatable dental tray. The mixing tip 110 receivesimpression material within an input end 120 having an opening 122 thatpreferably contains a check valve 124. The baffles 114, 116 within themixing tip 110 induce a non-laminar movement, or flow, of the materialpassing through the tube so as to effectively “fold” any lamina withinthe material into one another. It will be understood that variousbaffling arrangements may be utilized with similar results. FIG. 13illustrates the use of mixing tip 110 in connection with a source ofimpression material 130, exemplified as a pistol-grip dual-pistonsyringe, which may also be referred to as a “cartridge gun”. Thepistol-grip syringe 130 is shown having syringe barrels 132 a, 132 bwhich each contain a constituent component of the impression materialthat when mixed quickly solidifies. When the pistol-grip handle 134 issqueezed the pistons 136 a, 136 b move to displace a portion of thematerial 138 a, 138 b through the necked down portions of the syringe140 a, 140 b and the connector 142 which is attached to the injectionopening 122 of a mixing tip 110. Use of a pistol-grip syringe providesadditional leverage and flow control of impression material, although,alternative fluidic displacement devices may be utilized.

[0059] Inflatable dental impression trays according to the invention maybe manufactured using a variety of materials and assembly methods whichallow for the creation of an inflatable container for the impressionmaterial. In general, the inflatable tray 10 of FIG. 1 can bemanufactured in a manner similar to that of a plastic bag, wherein twosheets of plastic material are thermally sealed together around theirjoined periphery by a thermal sealing tool. The material from which theinflatable tray is fabricated should be a flexible and tear resistantmaterial having a thickness of from 2 to 5 mils (0.002-0.005 inches),preferably less than 2 to 3 mils. The inflatable tray may bemanufactured from any of numerous alternative material films, such aspolymer, polyethylene, polyolefin, polyamides, and polyesters with apreferable molecular weight between 50,000 and 100,000. The material ofthe inflatable tray may be enhanced by the additions of various chemicalagents, such as color additives, odiferous additives, olfactoryadditives, and antimicrobial additives. Inflatable trays thereby can beproduced in various colors, smells, and tastes, while having anincreased resistance to microbial contamination. Additionally, theinflatable trays may be imprinted with color coding, sizing information,advertising, trade dress, or additional information such as the name ofthe patient. It will be appreciated that the invention can beimplemented in a variety of ways without departing from the inventiveprinciples.

[0060] The inflatable tray requires a filling mechanism, or connection,so that it may be filled with the impression material. The embodimentsdescribed thus far utilize a rigid feed tube having baffles to allowfilling the impression tray with fully mixed impression material.However, a variety of material filling connections may be used for thispurpose, for example: a rigid tube without mixing baffles, a flexibleinflatable feed tube, or a direct connection between the source of mixedimpression material and the impression area of the inflatable traywithout a length of feed tube. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment 150 ofan inflatable dental tray that utilizes an inflatable fill tube. Theinflatable tray has a U-shaped impression area 152 containing apertures154 and spanned by membrane 156. Filling of the impression area 152 isaccomplished by attaching an impression material source (not shown) tothe inflatable fill tube 158 at the necked-down region 160 at opening162 through which impression material is received from the impressionmaterial source to inflate and thereafter exude from the apertures 154in the impression area 152. The inflatable fill tube may additionallycontain baffles for the mixing of the material. Baffles may beexemplified as a criss-cross seam pattern 164 that provides a circuitoussnaking path for the two parts of the material which disrupts laminarfluid flow (an effect of abrupt direction and aspect ratio changes) tothereby intermix the impression material as it flows through the filltube 158. The fill tube 158 may additionally contain a fluid divider 166that prevents mixing of constituent parts of the impression materialnear the fluid coupling with the source of the impression material so asto reduce the chances of residual amounts of mixed material hardeningwithin the tip of the impression material source. FIG. 15 is analternative embodiment 170 of an impression tray having an inflatablefill tube with longitudinal baffles. A U-shaped impression area 172 isshown having apertures 174 and being spanned by a membrane 176. Theimpression area receives impression material through a fill tube 178from an opening 180. The components of the impression material areinitially retained in separation by divider 182 and then caused to mixwith one another within the channels formed by separations 184. It willbe appreciated that an inflatable fill tube may be configured withvarious alternative baffle arrangements without departing from theinventive teachings.

[0061] The impression trays described thus far have been inflated withimpression material that was allowed to exit through apertures formingbuilt up areas of impression material. It will be recognized thatinflatable trays may also be separately inflated and loaded withimpression material. FIG. 16 exemplifies one such embodiment of aninflatable dental tray 190 in which the impression material is appliedtopically, in a similar manner much like that performed with a typicalshell-type tray. This tray is configured preferably for taking upperimpressions since it has a membrane 194 across the full-span of theinflatable tube 192. An outer perimeter inflatable sidewall 192 isspanned by a membrane 194 and filled through an input 196 which includesa valve (not shown). The tray is filled through the valve at the input196 with a selected gas or liquid until it becomes sufficiently rigid,whereupon the impression material is applied to one or both sides of theinflatable tray. Tray inflation may be provided by various means,including but not limited to: compressed air, gases, water, and curablematerials. FIG. 17 is a U-shaped inflatable impression tray 210 similarto that of FIG. 16, however, it is configured with dual-inflation tubes212, 214, having a membrane 216 which spans between the tubes and leavesthe center portion of the tray open. The dual-inflation tubes are shownfluidly interconnected 218 a, 218 b, 218 c wherein the fluid received atthe input 220 is evenly distributed.

[0062] An inflatable impression tray according to the present inventionmay be implemented in a variety of additional shapes and styles. Anotherembodiment 230 of FIG. 18 illustrates a hook-shaped quadrant traywherein an inflation tube 232 is configured in a hook shape with an end234 and a bend 236. The area between the sides of the inflation tube arespanned by a membrane 238 upon which impression material may betopically applied. The inflation tube 232 has a filler input 240 with avalve 242 to allow for liquid or gas filling to attain sufficientstructural rigidity to accept the impression material. An additionalquadrant tray 250 is exemplified in FIG. 19 wherein the inflation tube252 forms a loop with a sharp bend 254 to form a substantially narrowloop which is spanned by a membrane 256 upon which the impressionmaterial is to be topically applied. The inflation tube 252 has a fillerinput 258 with valve 260 providing for liquid or gas filling. FIG. 20 isanother example of an impression tray 270 wherein the membrane 276spanning the loop of the inflation tube 272 is configured withstructures, herein depicted as round apertures, to increase adherancebetween the topically applied impression material and the impressiontray. The tray is shown in a narrow quadrant configuration with bend274, and a filler input 278 containing valve 280. A hybrid approach to aquadrant impression tray 290 is depicted in FIG. 21 wherein aninflatable tube 292 forms a narrow loop with bend 294 which is spannedby a membrane 296 having apertures therein and filled at a filler input298 containing a valve 300. This impression tray is configured forfilling with impression material and is adapted with a plurality of flowapertures 302 along the inflatable tube 292 so that once sufficientimpression material is forced into the inflatable tube 292 it will beginto flow from the flow apertures 302 and build up on the membrane 296.

[0063] A self-inflating impression tray may also be manufacturedaccording to the invention wherein external sources of gas or liquid arenot required to inflate the tray. FIG. 22 is an embodiment 310 of aself-inflating impression tray upon which impression material may betopically applied. An inflation tube 312 forms a U-shape with two narrowbends 314 a, 314 b spanned by membrane 316 to cover an upper or lowerset of dental surfaces. The front 318 of the tray is configured with apair of compartments 320, 322 containing chemical reactants that reactwhen mixed to generate the requisite amount of gas to inflate the tubeat a sufficient pressure. The compartments are bounded by fixed walls324, 326, and separated by a rupturable membrane 328, which uponrupturing opens up apertures within the walls of the tube 312 to allowfilling by the generated gas. It is preferable that the reactingchemicals be non-toxic, an example of which is sodium bicarbonate andcitric acid. These reactants are stored in the separate compartments andpreferable brought into contact by rupturing a membrane so that the gascreated thereafter inflates the tube making the tray rigid. Variousadditional chemical expansion mechanisms will be well known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

[0064] Accordingly, the use of an inflatable tray as taught hereinprovides numerous benefits for both dental practitioners and patients.The following are given as additional examples and not as limitations tothe practice of the present invention. It should be recognized that theinflatable tray 10 of FIG. 1 may be configured for various shapes andsizes to create impressions of portions of the various dental surfaces,some of which have been described. An inflatable tray being filled withimpression material may be constructed with apertures for allowingimpression material flow out and build up on the outside, however, aninflatable tray may be constructed without the apertures, wherein as thepatient bites down on a thin exterior layer so that it ruptures orstretches to conform to the dental structure to create an impression.Inflatable trays with apertures are preferred over the non-aperturetrays as they benefit from having additional impression material in thebuildup areas and can be filled without trapping air bubbles.Preferably, the inflatable tray and the impression material which itretains should become either mechanically or chemically attached to oneanother to stabilize the finished impression. Various embodiments of theinflatable trays have been exemplified for the present invention whichenhance the process of making dental impressions, so that impressionscan be created in less time, with more comfort, and at reduced cost.

[0065] Although the description above contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the presentinvention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obviousto those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present inventionis accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims,in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to theelements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein byreference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each andevery problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to beencompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component,or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated tothe public regardless of whether the element, component, or method stepis explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unlessthe element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for creating a dental impression,comprising: (a) an inflatable base member configured for placementadjacent to a surface in the mouth of a patient; and (b) means forinflating said base member until it is sufficiently rigid to retain aquantity of impression material.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1,further comprising a plurality of apertures with said base memberthrough which impression material can flow when injected into said basemember.
 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a filltube attached to said base member, said fill tube having a plurality ofinternal baffles configured for mixing impression material components assaid components flow through said fill tube and into said base member.4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base member isconfigured for inflation by a fluid, such as gas or liquid.
 5. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base member is configuredfor inflation by mixing chemicals contained within the base member thatreact to generate a volume of gas sufficient to inflate the base member.6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base member in anuninflated state is substantially planar.
 7. An inflatable dental trayfor making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising: (a) aninflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent a surface in themouth of a patient; and (b) means for filling said inflatable basemember with a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the basemember.
 8. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 7, wherein themeans for filling the inflatable base member comprises means forbringing reactive chemicals into contact with one another that werepreviously contained separately, wherein the reaction of the chemicalsgenerates a gas that inflates the inflatable base member.
 9. Aninflatable dental tray as recited in claim 8, wherein a pair ofchemicals are retained in separate compartments within the base memberand configured to be brought into contact by rupturing a separatingmaterial.
 10. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 7, whereinthe means for filling the inflatable base member with a fluid comprisesan opening within said inflatable base member which is configured toreceive a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member.11. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 10, further comprisingflow apertures in said inflatable base member which allow impressionmaterial being used to inflate the base member to flow out and build upon the surface of said base member and into which dental surfaces may beinterposed.
 12. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 11,further comprising a fill tube attached to the opening within saidinflatable base member and configured with mixing baffles capable ofmixing the constituent parts of a multipart impression material flowingtherein.
 13. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 12, whereinsaid fill tube is inflatable and is inflated upon receipt of impressionmaterial.
 14. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising a valve positioned within said base member to prevent fluidsbeing received for inflation of said base member from a source of fluidsfrom escaping through said opening upon disconnection of said source offluids after inflation has been performed.
 15. An inflatable dental trayas recited in claim 7, wherein the inflatable base member is constructedof an upper and lower layer of a flexible film material which is joinedtogether to form an inflatable chamber.
 16. An inflatable dental tray asrecited in claim 7, wherein the inflatable base member is substantiallyflaccid prior to inflation.
 17. An inflatable dental tray as recited inclaim 7, wherein the inflatable base member does not have free-standingretention sidewalls for retaining a quantity of impression materialprior to inflation.
 18. An inflatable dental tray as recited in claim 7,further comprising additives within the material of the inflatabledental tray capable of altering material characteristics and selectedfrom the group of characteristic properties consisting of smell, taste,color, and bacteriological prophylaxis.
 19. A mixing tip for aninflatable impression tray, comprising: (a) means for conveyingimpression material from a source of impression material to aninflatable impression tray; and (b) means for mixing said impressionmaterial while it is being conveyed to the inflatable impression tray.20. A mixing tip as recited in claim 19, wherein means for mixingcomprises baffles which disrupt the laminar flow of impression materialthrough said mixing tip.
 21. A mixing tip as recited in claim 19,wherein said mixing tip is attached integral with an inflatable dentalimpression tray.
 22. A mixing tip as recited in claim 19, wherein saidmixing tip is integral with a source of impression material.
 23. Amixing tip as recited in claim 19, wherein said mixing tip is separateand is capable of being attached between a source of impression materialand an inflatable dental tray.
 24. An apparatus for use in taking dentalimpressions in the mouth of a patient, comprising an inflatable trayconfigured for holding impression material when inflated.
 25. Anapparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising a fill port.
 26. Anapparatus as recited in claim 25, further comprising a plurality ofapertures in said base member in flow communication with said fill port.27. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said fill port isconfigured to receive impression material.
 28. An apparatus as recitedin claim 27, wherein said base member is configured for inflation byimpression material injected into said fill port.
 29. An apparatus asrecited in claim 28, wherein said apertures are configured forexhausting impression material injected into said base member throughsaid fill port.
 30. An apparatus as recited in claim 25, furthercomprising a fill tube connected to said fill port.
 31. An apparatus asrecited in claim 30, wherein said fill tube includes a plurality ofmixing baffles.
 32. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein saidfill tube is inflatable.
 33. A method of retaining impression materialfor taking dental impressions, comprising the steps of: (a) inflating abase member until a sufficient level of rigidity is obtained; (b)applying an unsolidified impression material to the base member; (c)interposing a dental surface within the impression material while itsolidifies; and (d) removal of the dental surface from the solidifiedimpression material having thereby formed a solid impression of saiddental surfaces.
 34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein the stepsof inflating the base member and applying an unsolidified impressionmaterial to the base member are accomplished by filling an inflatablebase member having a plurality of flow apertures with the impressionmaterial such that during filling the base member inflates andimpression material flows out through the flow apertures to build up onthe surface of the base member.